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CJ Carr returns as Notre Dame starts 2025 season

9/7/2026

24 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Notre Dame Returns

College football teams played their first full Saturday of the season.
Notre Dame is projected among the nation’s best teams despite its independent schedule.
Quarterback CJ Carr returns as Notre Dame’s starter after the team posted a 10-2 record last season.
Miami is the only questionable opponent on Notre Dame’s schedule, hosting the game.
The weekend’s top matchup features two ranked teams, the only Saturday game between ranked opponents.

Summary

Wisconsin Hosts

Wisconsin will host Notre Dame at Lambeau Field, giving the Badgers a home-field advantage.
Notre Dame is 3-5 early under head coach Marcus Freeman.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss returns after a transfer-portal influx added three new offensive starters.
Only four defensive starters return for Notre Dame, suggesting early-season confusion on defense.
Betting analysts project a low-scoring contest and recommend the under on 55.5 total points.

Summary

Golding Debuts

Pete Golding will debut as Ole Miss head coach on Sept 6 versus Louisville.
His five-year, $35 million contract starts in 2025 with a $6.8 million base salary.
Salary rises $100,000 each Dec 31, ranking him 36th-highest paid coach last season.
If terminated without cause, Ole Miss must pay Golding 75% of his annual compensation as buyout.
Bonuses are $500k for a Fiesta Bowl, $750k for a title-game, and $1 million for a championship.

History

Historical Context

In February 1990 Notre Dame left the College Football Association and signed a five-year exclusive TV deal with NBC, worth $38 million and guaranteeing at least $9 million per season. The pact took effect during Lou Holtz’s tenure, gave the Irish national exposure and set a precedent for today’s high-profile games under Marcus Freeman and the lucrative contracts that now shape college football.

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Notre Dame Returns

College football teams played their first full Saturday of the season.
Notre Dame is projected among the nation’s best teams despite its independent schedule.
Quarterback CJ Carr returns as Notre Dame’s starter after the team posted a 10-2 record last season.
Miami is the only questionable opponent on Notre Dame’s schedule, hosting the game.
The weekend’s top matchup features two ranked teams, the only Saturday game between ranked opponents.

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